Pete Knifton - Blood Bowl



More artists I hear you cry?!  Oh yes, I'm afraid so.  It probably more a shameless attempt to disguise the fact that I haven't done much of my own art work lately. Guilty as charged.  So why this artist of all other? Well Pete Kniftton is to me a huge influence in my childhood. Huge.  More than I'd like to admit as I'm letting out a very geeky side to my childhood.........OK a bit of my adulthood too.

Like quite a few boys of my age at the time we were enveloped in the games of warhammer from Games Workshop. The game of Blood Bowl was one of their title games that was more a specialist than mainstream game but I loved it.  I knew the rules like the back of my hand and could play a mean game.  What I remember most though is reading through the rule books over and over, its stories and images captivated me.  It was Kniftons' artwork that adorned many of the pages of these books.  I would try copying them replicating them with some efficiency.  Its just a style I love.

Relevant then don't you think that I have chosen to do a comic book on this very subject some twenty years after playing my first few games.  Pete's artwork is very apparent in my art and style as the imaginary he used is also stuck in my mind.  I know I'm not alone in this.  You can see more of these pictures and other artists interpretations at http://www.bloodbowl.org/

I don't imagine for one minute that I can better these sort of images but in the spirit of what I enjoyed and still do enjoy I want to create and draw something with a similar feel.  Watch this space!!

What Next?

Well here I am Saturday evening, on my laptop with the TV on in the background for company pondering not only my visit to my bed but also what to do with my art stuff next.

Well this is the plan: I'm going to tackle one of my sketches showed on here earlier on with the titan invading a mountain base.  Think this maybe a good challenge in scenery for me and something a bit different again.
After that I'm going to start on my graphic novel (never thought I'd say that).  Well that's the plan.  Currently I'm borrowing books left right and centre from my library about not only drawing, inking and colouring comics but also writing them.  I like to throw my self fully at these things, which will either work or crash and burn horribly when I realise I can't either draw, ink, colour or write. Or worse, all of them!  Still while I am thinking up characters, plot and all that Jazz, I'm going to do a concept cover piece.

This is my idea so far.  Based on a hardened world where people are brought up on war, poverty, from various species and races (I like orks, dwarves, and elves ok!) people live and thrive on the game of blood bowl.  Watched by the masses their blood lust is similar to that of those Romans who watched gladiators fight.  The game blood bowl is similar in some ways to American football just without the rules and brutal to play.  The plays are rarely people who want to play but rather criminals, slaves who are forced into the game.  Our hero is one such character playing to win the game, aiming to survive his harsh life a secret love, and above all conquer the blood bowl pitch so he can gain his freedom.

Probably far fetched.....a bit Tolkien meets gladiator in America!  Its still all an idea but I'm going to run with it and see firstly what pictures I can produce.  Anyway that's enough ramblings from me tonight, think my bed is in order :)

Oh and on a happy note.  Welcome to my blog Katy, aka 'kovah' :)

Blood Bowl Concept Piece - Comic Art

This is my finished piece of the Blood Bowl player I was working on.  This was good fun to do! Okay its not really one for the portfolio, it was more an experimental piece to play around with comic book art.  I think my inking stage needs some serious work and would give a much more smooth finish but as this was experimental I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  Got some more ideas so will be showing these soon

You can see my work process above from start to its conclusion.

On another note I'd like to welcome Lucpet and Pumpkinhat to my Blog. Welcome! Sorry everyone for the long delay between blogs, just been busy and away from my computer.

Jez

ICONS - Jim Lee Review

For those who do not know, this is one Jim Lee’s latest books to be released and can be purchased from most good book stores or at your local library.

Jim Lee

Jim Lee was originally born in South Korea but at the age of four, his parents immigrated to the United States.  It is apparent that from an early age, he was a gifted artist but it wasn't really until his adult life things came into fruition.  He was on course to complete a  four-year physiological degree when after taking an art class he refound his love for drawing.  Lee took a very bold step in his life and put his medical degree on hold to pursue a career in comics.  He would give himself just one year to achieve this and if nothing came of it, he would return and finish his degree. 



Throwing everything into this career move Lee was finally discovered by editor of Marvel comics, Archie Goodwin.  Here he worked on lesser titles of the Marvel such as Alpha flight and the Punisher, where he gained a fan base.  Three years on he was drawing for the premiere titles such as the X men series. In 1992, he joined fellow marvel workers who had left to form Image Comics.  He joined the imprint founding Wildstorm Productions but he was never very happy as a publisher and so sold Wildstorm to DC Comics in 1998 allowing him to return to drawing monthly comic books.

He has since last year become a Co-Publisher for DC Comics but keeps himself in a position doing what he loves best and that is drawing and producing monthly comics.

Content of the Book

Gathering together art from across the range of Lee’s finest work, ICONS presents an impeccable collection of full-colour illustrations and pencil sketches, spanning his career to date. Taking in stunning and vivid renderings of superstar super heroes including Batman and Superman, WildC.A.T.s, Divine Right and Deathblow, this volume also features Lee’s guest art for series such as Ex Machina, plus a host of previously unseen pieces.

Structured around an all-new interview with Jim Lee by comic’s journalist Bill Baker, this deluxe volume also features brand new art from Lee, both on the specially designed dustjacket, and in an exclusive, all-new Legion of Super-Heroes ten-page story, written by Paul Levitz and illustrated by Jim Lee.

Lee’s ascent through the ranks of comics’ stardom, both in art and in business, is charted in this definitive collection, as Titan Books lays out his rich, varied and astonishingly successful career through an array of beautiful work.

Each section is lavishly colourful, showing not only his fantastic drawing but also the inking and colouring of those he’s worked with such as Alex Sinclair and Scott Williams.  Full-page spreads show off Lee’s ability, some showing his sketches and the process to his finished pieces.  

The highlights of the book really are the Superman and Batman chapters, which take up a considerable part of the book and will keep fans of his work engaged for a long time.

My Opinion

This book is fantastic if you like comic book art.  Even if you don't the content has to be admired, and with just under three hundred pages of pictures there is enough to keep you engaged.  I seem to notice new things every time I pick it up!  If anything, the artwork is inspirational and will have you reaching for your pencils attempting the same thing.  The written content is very informative and for those lacking knowledge in the comic book world (me included) is easy to follow, but has enough content for the more fanatical too.  Personally, I was just happy to look at the pictures!

The highlights of the book really are the Superman and Batman chapters, which take up a considerable part of the book and will keep fans of his work engaged for a long time.

So is it worth the £25 price tag? I would say yes.  It's a big book packed with pictures and information that you will want to look at for years to come, and if you don't have the money you could always borrow it from your local library!

Something Different

Good morning bloggers.  Where I'm sure lots of people where out drinking and having a good time (my wife included!), I was sitting behind my laptop drawing and haunting Artorders forum site. 

I have suddenly been hit by comic art fever.  I sketched this blood bowl character last night and am liking this style! It was quite easy to create and a big step from my usual fiddly drawings.  I'm going to call this a work in progress as I'd like to finish it and see what I can do with this style.  I'm tempted to do some more stuff like this using the blood bowl theme.  Time for some orks, elves and dwarves I think!  Did I mention doing a more mature style to this theme.......oh well that's gone to pot.  Think I'd like to do a comic strip on this to see what I can do.  First I think I'll just do character and action shots and practice the style a bit more.

Watch this space for the finished piece and more to come!!

WIP Untitled

Picture is taking shape fast, adding more colour and smoothing the colours.  Nearly ready to add texture to the tunnel then I can work on my player.  Not decided what to call this piece yet.  Any ideas?

New Look, New Blog Button!

Yep, I've done it! I've done my own blog button.  Think it all works too!!  Bloomin heck that was long winded to get right.  Think its ok, I actually wanted it to have a transparent back ground but couldn't seem to get that to work. Never mind.  For my more regular viewers you will also notice a slight change to my blog.  After waiting for feed back, it appears that my blog was too dark, distracting and cluttered.  I'm hoping this is something of an improvement.

My son Jake is poorly at the moment, nothing serious but when he refused my chicken roast dinner I knew he wasn't himself.  He managed school but it took its tole on him and by the time he got home he crashed out on the sofa.  Bless.

Hope you like the new look site.  I'll be back soon with more interesting news hopefully!

New Work Begins

Well having just finished my last picture, I just had to start on my next one.  More to just get the idea out of my head and onto canvas.  My next series of painting is going to be based on the game Blood Bowl which was a very popular game made by Games Workshop in the 1980s.  The game was one of my favourites and the art work for it was great.  However, I'm approaching my art in a more grown up way compared to the more cartoon style ones published in the rule books.

Pictures still rough but it gives you an idea.

And to prove I've been a busy bee tonight that's not the only thing I've been working on!!!  I've also started (and nearly finished) my personal button for my blog.  Think of it as a metal flower.  Not sure what to do with writing.  I'll just have to have a play around.

Finally Finished!!!!!

Its taken an age to do and I'll be the first to say I need to sort my methods of work as its too slow.  I'm fairly happy with it, yet I have some niggles still.  I'm moving away from this now and will come look at it in a few months time and see it with fresh eyes.  Time for something different.  Let me know what you think :)

Nearly, Nearly There!!!!!

Thought I'd post this before making a retreat to my bed.  Hopefully you'll be able to see changes from my last picture.  I really only have a couple more things I want to sort now.  That Includes the sword blades and the wolf emblems on the shoulder pad.......colour gold is giving me grief!!!  I shall then mark it as 'to be judged' for a while.  If I fail to see things I want to change then I'll sign it and call it a day!

Good Night All.

Dead Line

That's it. I'm going to set myself a deadline for my finished piece. Time it was done and dusted, as I've got other things I want to be getting on with. Id like to do my personal button for my blog then perhaps work on either the sketch below or another project idea a little away from my usual sci fi. So my date is ONE WEEKS TIME. That's right, and if I don't have it done by then you have my permission to throw a torrent of abuse at me!

I've done very little this weekend with the family, its not really been great weather and Helen and I are very tired. Been to the garden centre and got our hanging basket sorted........just need to drill some holes into the bricks for the bracket to hang it up with. DIY is not my strong point. It's bound to end in an injury! If you don't hear from me it could be because I've fallen off the ladder and drilled myself!!

Hope you've had a good week. Wish me luck in getting my picture finished by next Sunday :)

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Ideas

Here is something I just sketched out this afternoon.  Really rough and just an idea, but I like it and may run with this.  It'll be totally different from what I normally do, as I'm concentrating on landscape more.  Bit naughty as I've not quite finished my other one but I needed a break from it!

Goodbye Gallery Page!

Its gone! I've deleted my own pictures off my art blog. But before you think I've gone completely mad if you take a look at the top right side bar of my page you'll see a new button.  If I may add, a rather funky looking button that I made myself!! If you click on this it will link you over to my favourite website, CGHUB.  Here you'll see my artwork on display.  You can from here view, download, and coment on my pictures or scout the site and view some of the amazing pictures produced by professionals and hobbyists alike.

I'm rather chuffed with my little button.  I couldn't help but punch the air and do a little jig when the link worked......that and I think it looks cool on my page.  Going to design my own button for my page that people can then download for their own pages.  Just need some simple ideas.

Poor Care

I have just watched the most horrific Panorama special program.  It concentrated on a mental health care home, Winterbrook, showing not only the lack of humane care but the brutality and sickening abuse that the patients are put through.  It was all secretly filmed and the reality of the abuse was for me nothing but sickening.  Seriously.  I wanted to turn the channel because it upset me so much, but at the same time I was gobsmacked that this sort of thing could go on, and I was hoping for a happy conclusion.  As a previous mental health nurse I had never seen such abuse.  Granted I'd met lazy staff but none that would restrain a patient for the sake of it because they were annoying them.  Pulling patients out of bed, grabbing of hair, abused, forced it was all on this program to see.  It wasn't just one staff member it was a great deal of them and the senior staff just turned a blind eye.

Does this thing really go on everywhere?  I seriously hope not.  They are patients in care, not there to be tortured punished, just for fun(!).  In all 13 members of staff were suspended and a police investigation is under way.  I hope they all get prison sentences. I hope they all get long prison sentences and get a taste of their own medicine from fellow inmates.  That's probably just an angry reaction to what I saw, but sometimes justice is knowing just what its like to be in their shoes.

Did anyone else see it?

Nearly There!!

Oh I have done a bit more artwork so here it is.  Was going to keep it a secret but I've decided to let you all see.  Not long till I put it on CGHUB to get it critqued.

So what do you think? Loved to know your thoughts :)

Sorry!!

Oh my god has it been a week already? Blimey where did that time go?  It probably hasn't helped that last time I tried adding a post my blog site failed and I couldn't log back on!!  So what have been up to.  Well I got to watch the Halfords Tour in Durham last Tuesday with Helen which was great.  Strange watching pros suffer so badly.......much like I do when I used to race!! Got some great photos as well.

Had a treat this weekend though.  The children went to stay at their grandmas so Helen and I got to have a free evening to ourselves. Think its been the first time in about two years. Yikes!  We had a good night at the cinema and watched the new Pirates of the Caribbean film which was great stuff.  I love cinemas, just a shame I get to go so rarely.  Think its the lure of a large box of popcorn that does it :)  we went for a meal afterwards which was okay, even if Helen's starter was a bit of a disaster.  How hard is it to melt cheese in breadcrumbs?  Apparently very hard!

Do you know what the best part was though?  Waking up at nine o'clock,  not the usual early hours threatened by my children.  Missed them though, life just isn't the same without them.

My Weekend

Well It's Monday and I'm suffering from what can only be described as cyclists hangover. Ah, but wait. I've not told you my real passion in life have I? Mountain biking, road biking.....I've been in love with it for half my life and cannot see that changing. There was a time I lived, worked and breathed them. Ok, now that I work as a librarian I don't spend my time working with bikes but enjoy my own. I often commute to work, only twelve miles, but it keeps my legs going.

So what did I do yesterday? Well yesterday I took my mountain bike up with a couple of friends to beautiful Scotland. Glentress to be exact. It rained, it was windy at times and not always warm. It didn't put us off though and nor did it put off many others. You see it offers some great climbs, if too many, but fantastic desents. The best in this country. You can't but smile and for five hours nothing else matters. Ok I'll avoid going all religious on you but its just a great feeling.

The next day, however, is one where I suffer for all my efforts! I ache from head to toe. It is as always worth it though.

Most of the other time I spent with my family. My wife Helen and my son Jake and Daughter Erin. Think all in all a perfect weekend. Happy days

Hope lifes good for you :)

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Spot The Difference!

Well I've done lots of little adjustments but they've been mainly to shadows and highlights.  I adjusted his diamond on the badge as it was a bit wonky! Just been concentrating on his necklace but am undecided about the silver edging. Anyhow, I'm happy with how it looks overall. Going to get right side of picture sorted including his unfinished arm, shoulder and chainsword.  Hopefully be back with a picture and update soon!!

A light At The End Of The Tunnel

Well I went ahead and cropped the picture.  Result, a nearer completed picture.  This has made me feel so much better about it.  Although I loved the picture and pose before cropping I was just getting too bogged down with the detail.  Now it feels like I'm closer to completion rather than under half way. Happy :).  So heres a tip for any beginners........don't try doing too much or be too complicated with your projects.  You'll only loose heart if progress is slow.  Now I just need tips on patterns of silver and gold!

Professional In Action

I liked this video.  Not just because I like Daves artwork, but also it shows the process of how he goes from a blank canvass to to a great piece of work in just an hour and a half!  Its speeded up so you're not sitting there that long.  It probably proves that I spend too long on my artwork and would probably have more motivation if i loosened up my style. I often wonder if other artists look at this in the same wonder, and think I can do that, then have ago only to find out.....actually they can't!  At school I never remember looking at peoples work and thinking 'I wish I could paint like that'.  I produced my own stuff and was happy with that.  The more I look at others blogs at peoples different styles the more I question my own abilities. Am I just embaracing myself showing my lack of abilities.  Then I suppose I should stop myself with that kind of thinking.  This is not a competition.  I'm not attempting to get a job in the art industry (although that would be amazing).  I'm just drawing because I love drawing.  I just hope there are some people out there who will like them too.  If there are........please give me the encouragement to keep going.